Procurement as defined by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP), is the “purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise acquiring any supplies, services, or construction; includes all functions that pertain to the acquisition, including description of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contract, and all phases of contract administration.” Procurement includes the “combined functions of purchasing, inventory control, traffic and transportation, receiving, inspection, storekeeping, salvage and disposal operations.”

The Procurement Services staff comprises the director, a team of buyers, receiving manager, supply specialists and administrative support. Within this group are a unique blend of business and technical skills required to carry out the procurement process, including:

Assisting University departments with the development of specifications for required goods and services;

Providing acceptable terms and conditions for procurement actions;

Providing the interface with suppliers and vendors in matters of price, quality, delivery, and contract administration; and

Resolving legal and risk management issues, with the aid and direction of the offices of University Counsel and Risk Management, that may arise during various phases of the process.

Procurement Services' mission statement provides an effective and efficient procurement process for quality goods and services and fosters a high standard of fair and honest treatment within the University, with vendors, and the public. The objectives of Procurement Services include the following:

Provide all the goods and services required for the University's operations at the time and place needed and in the proper quantity and quality;

Secure such goods and services required at the lowest possible cost from responsive and responsible vendors;

Provide economic delivery of purchased materials;

Provide sound inventory management;

Obtain the greatest possible revenue from the disposal of surplus, damaged, or obsolete materials and equipment;

Insure and maintain compliance with the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code and University guidelines; and

Transact business with the utmost ethical standards as listed in the Code of Ethics below.

Procurement Services adheres to the following Code of Ethics, as adopted from those issued by the National Association of Educational Procurement:

A. To give first consideration to the objectives and policies of Coastal Carolina University;B. To strive to obtain the maximum ultimate value of each dollar of expenditure;C. To decline personal gifts or gratuities;D. To grant all competitive suppliers equal consideration insofar as state or federal statute and institutional policy permit;E. Conduct business with potential and current suppliers in an atmosphere of good faith, devoid of intentional misrepresentation;F. To demand honesty in sales representation whether offered through the medium of a verbal or written statement, an advertisements or a sample of the product;G. To receive consent of originator of proprietary ideas and designs before using them for competitive purchasing purposes;H. To make every reasonable effort to negotiate an equitable and mutually agreeable settlement of any controversy with a supplier; and/or be willing to submit any major controversies to arbitration or other third party review, insofar as the established policies of Coastal Carolina University permits;I. To accord a prompt and courteous reception insofar as conditions permit to all who call on legitimate business missions;J. To cooperate with trade, industrial and professional associations, and with governmental and private agencies for the purposes of promoting and developing sound business methods;K. To foster fair, ethical and legal trade practices;L. To cooperate with peers and promote a spirit of unity and a keen interest in professional growth among them.

Coastal Carolina University prohibits any form of discrimination against its students, faculty, staff and applicants in its programs or for admission to or employment with the University. For more information, visit Title IX or EEO.